TOKYO -- Nissan Motor Co. President Carlos Ghosn, leading up to a major progress report he will give later this month on his attempt to turn around Japan's ailing No. 2 auto maker, is sending a barrage of bullish signals to the public. Nissan won't divulge nitty-gritty details on its restructuring until Oct. 30, but a look under the hood shows that he has reasons to boast -- although the company's troubles are far from over.

Mr. Ghosn said he is well ahead of schedule in his three-year rebuilding program and on track to...